Basketball coach Bill Baker given lifetime achievement award

Bill Baker has been coaching the sport across the county for half a century, leading to an array of successes on court.

The 78-year-old has won the National Invitation Cup, and twice picked up the National Inter-Area Tournament, however his finest achievement was arguably in winning Division 1 of the NBL during the 2000/01 season with the Oxford Devils, only narrowly losing the play-off to Reading Rockets.

‘What he doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing’: Ex-Tonga man joins Banbury as player-coach

Baker’s devotion to basketball stems from his school days, as he explained: “I started playing basketball at school and and it went from there.

“I was getting my hands on magazines whenever I could, which was very difficult in those days, but that’s what got me interested in basketball.

“Initially I was playing and secretarying for clubs back in the early 60s, and then as Oxford City grew, I took over coaching.”

That first foray into coaching with Oxford City came in 1975 when he became assistant coach.

Since then, Baker has become a leading figure in the sport in Oxfordshire, co-founding the Abingdon Eagles in the 2005/06 season, coaching them for 10 years at all levels (U14, U16 and U18 Boys) before taking time out for medical reasons.

“I’ve enjoyed coaching, I was never in it for the accolades – I was in basketball because I like basketball,” he said.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in basketball and still do.

“I like to see young people reach their potential – I get a lot out of that and knowing they’re as good as they can get and that they’ve reached their potential.

“There’s a lot of talent out there, and it’s about harnessing that and making it into a team.

“There’s a lot of pressure with coaching but I don’t mind the pressure, it doesn’t scare me.”

Bill Baker has been given a lifetime achievement award, recognising his contribution to basketball in Oxfordshire. Picture: Julia Summers

Baker was handed his lifetime achievement award at the Oxford Basketball League Finals – although the honour came as a surprise to him.

“I didn’t know it was going to be awarded to me – I found it a little bit embarrassing but that’s just my nature,” he said.

“It was a strange feeling, the awards were going out from the competitions, and then they said there was a special award to make and I was thinking ‘oh no’.

“It’s an award that came from people within the game, so it was a very emotional moment.”

Baker’s passion for basketball has spread to his grandson Dan Ormrod, who is the current head coach of the rejuvenated Oxford Devils team.

It’s led to Baker coming out of retirement to act as assistant coach and as an advisor.

He said: “My grandson has started up the Devils again and I’ve been going round to help, it’s nice that basketball has stayed in my blood.”